Tickets to Disneyland cost a pretty penny so you want to get the most out of your trip. Here are five tips to make your day less frustrating and a lot more fun.
You are your family have been looking forward to this trip to Disneyland for months. You've got your camera. You're wearing your mouse ears and you're ready to go have fun! Two hours later you're hot, tired, frustrated and ready to go home. But at forty bucks a pop, who can afford to give up on Disneyland after only a few hours! The next time keep in mind these few easy tips that will make your day in the park fun and a lot less frustrating.
1. Buy your tickets in advance.
Even during the off-season, waiting in the ticket line can eat up at least a half hour of your time and with excited kids in tow it can be the longest half hour of your life. You can buy your tickets in advance either online or at your local Disney Store.
2. Go against the grain.
People are creatures of habit, especially adults who are used to driving on the right side of the road. Most people will enter Disneyland and proceed to the right to begin their day. The best bet is to arrive when the park opens, then head straight through the castle to ToonTown (the farthest point away from the front entrance) then work your way back. You'd be surprised how much lighter the crowd is.
3. Bring a set of walkie-talkies
Groups waste a lot of time waiting for the rest of their party to show up at an assigned place. And don't even talk to me about lost kids, or the absent-minded teen who likes to girl watch instead of watch his watch. Buy a pair of good walkie-talkies at any sporting goods or electronics store. Give one to anyone who is going to leave the group. Now, you always know where the other people are.
4. Carry a Think Ahead backpack
Forget that tiny purse, and don't even think of keeping your wallet in your back pocket. Bring a roomy backpack in which to carry your wallet and all the stuff you buy while traveling the park. Also throw in, small snacks (it's cheaper than park food), a water bottle (let the family share, those suckers are heavy), a towel or two (for sitting on while you wait for the parade) and suntan lotion (it's always going to get hotter than you think).
5. Rethink FastPass
Disney's new FastPass system is supposed to save you time and frustration but think again. If the FastPass ticket for Indiana Jones grants you entrance at five and it's only three are you really going to cross the park and come back in two hours? Sometimes the stand-by time is shorter than the FastPass wait time. Here's a tip. Check the sign for the next FastPass time (it will be a block like 2:35 to 3:35) Wait until just after the first time and get in the stand-by line. Most people will arrive at the beginning of the time slot and once they're in you're on the move.
Five tips, all easy to remember, all guaranteed to make your day at Disneyland better. Still frustrated? I have one more suggestion. Move to California and buy a yearly Disney pass, then you can visit whenever you want practically for free!
